Planning Commission
The Planning Commission is comprised of 8 members who are appointed by County Council. As a recommending body for County Council, Planning Commission evaluates and makes recommendations for approval or denial on the following legislative items:
- Amendments to the Official Zoning Map (otherwise known as “Rezonings”)
- Text Amendments to the Zoning Ordinance or Subdivision and Land Development Regulations
- Amendments to the Comprehensive Plan
REQUESTS FOR REZONING:
If a property owner is interested in pursuing a rezoning, the Rezoning Application is linked above. Hardcopies are available from the Planning and Zoning Department. Applications must include a concept plan, indication of intent, Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA) when required, other necessary supporting documentation, and a $250.00 non-refundable fee (excepting requests to establish or amend a Planned Development District) and are due by 5:00 PM at least 4 weeks prior to the scheduled meeting, typically the date of the previous month’s meeting unless otherwise specified in the Calendar linked above. PDF applications may be emailed to Planning and Zoning Administrative Support at vog.csytnuocyelekreb@zapbew. Payment may be received online by following the prompts provided by the Department.
Conceptual Site Plan:
A Conceptual Site Plan, depicting how the applicant intends to utilize the property upon rezoning, is typically required to be included with the rezoning application. Though it may be hand drawn, it should show ALL existing and proposed buildings, roads, lots, point(s)of ingress/egress, internal accesses/driveways, parking spaces, bufferyards, etc., in relation to the intended use.
Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA):
Should a development intended by a requested rezoning warrant a Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA) in accordance with Chapter 59, The Land Development and Subdivision Regulations, it is required to be included with the rezoning application submittal.
Subdivision/Lot Adjustment Surveys:
Where only a portion of a parcel is subject to rezoning, a preliminary subdivision plat shall be submitted along with the rezoning application. In such case, the subdivision plat is required to be approved and recorded concurrent with Third (3rd) Reading by County Council.
🛑Large-Scale Development Moratorium Applicability:🛑
For rezoning requests that seek to support Large-Scale Development, as defined below, the Large-Scale Development Moratorium must first be lifted by County Council before the applicant can file a Rezoning Application. “Large-Scale Development” is defined as follows:
- The subject parcel/assemblage is 75 or more acres in size; and/or
- The intended development seeks to create 75+ lots/units; and
- The request for rezoning is not a down-zoning.
For more information about the Large-Scale Development Moratorium Process, please refer to the link above.
Typical Rezoning Process:
Each request is presented to the Planning Commission for recommendation to County Council. The Planning Commission typically meets the fourth Tuesday of the month, unless otherwise specified in the Calendar linked above.
The process for rezoning takes approximately 5 months from the date of application submittal, unless the request is deferred, postponed, tabled, or defeated. County Council has final decision-making authority on requests for rezoning. All requests are published via the County website in the respective meeting agenda and posted with a yellow public meeting sign prior to the scheduled Planning Commission meeting.
All scheduled public meetings are open to the public. The applicant of any request for rezoning or his/her representative is expected to attend every scheduled public meeting. Anyone with interest in the outcome of a requested rezoning is welcomed to attend the scheduled public meetings. These meetings can also be livestreamed from Berkeley County’s YouTube channel.
